Mr. Walleye® Custom Rods

Custom Rods

Over 30 different rods in four different series—with custom-designed actions for every walleye angling technique. Each rod is designed by “Mr. Walleye”, Gary Roach. Want to read more about what sets our rods apart from the rest? Choose a product line to the left and find the rod that’s perfect for you!

Design by Gary Roach

“I wanted to develop a series of rods for all the various techniques I use. I wanted the right actions, the correct lengths, and guide placements that maximize performance. My rods are made for the way I fish. They are the tools that help me catch more fish and they will also help you catch more too.” Click to learn more about Gary Roach

This rod features a fast tip action. This is a great rod for fishing in windy conditions when you need a super sensitive tip. Sensitivity is the key to feeling light bites in such conditions. This rod is ideal for light jigging or rigging and casting smaller crank baits. This rod performs best when paired with a light size reel. The fast tip action of is perfect for pitching shorelines. Use 4-10 lb. test line but not over 10 lb. Great for 1/16th oz. Northland™ Fire Ball Jigs tipped with a Shiner or half a crawler.

Designed especially for pan fish like Crappies, Bluegill and Perch. Makes a great stream Trout rod. Use this rod with very lightweight jigs. It is great for pitching them over the weeds or on the edge of the weed line. This rod is also good with smaller slip bobbers. The light action is designed to detect subtle strikes.

A very versatile rod. Use it for Walleye, Bass and more. Use with heavier 1/8-5/8 oz. jigs and a little heavier line. Ideal for 6lb. test lines for rigging and jigging. This rod can also be used for slip bobber fishing or pitching shallow and deep running crank baits and light plastic worms. Same performance qualities as the 5’9” rod but in a longer length with a lighter tip. Great for fishing a 1/16th oz. jig with 6-8lb. line. Try a stand-up jig head with a minnow, leech, or half a crawler. When fish are lethargic it helps to hop the jig a couple of times, drag it, let it sit and then repeat. Many times you’ll get a bite when the bait is just sitting still.

Great rod for lighter 3/4 to 1.75 oz. bottom bouncers and hands-on trolling. A very sensitive tip and parabolic action make it a great choice for three way rigs or egg sinker systems such as the Roach Sinkers. Its shorter length is a real benefit during windy conditions and helps control your casts.

One of the top selling actions. Shorter version of the 7’ model. Great for deeper water rig fishing, casting crank baits and plastic worm fishing. Great for trolling with lighter Rock Runner bottom bouncers from ¼-1oz. Great for Roach Rigs and Rainbow Spinners. If you see fish higher on your sonar use a longer snell up to 9’ in length. Fish that are closer to the bottom use a shorter snell. Use a stop and go presentation. You’ll catch more fish.

The rod for “Roach Riggin” or a good choice for bass fishing. Great for live bait rigs for walleye, bass and northern when using larger minnows, and Red Tails or creek chubs for the fall season bite. It can also be used for slip bobber fishing, jigging and using lighter bottom bouncers. Ideal for fishing deeper water. Use a small spinner harness with two small leeches hooked through the nose. This is a deadly combo. Fish both crawlers and leeches when the water temp is in the 50’s. Sometimes crawlers work better in water warmer.

Slightly heavier action version of the 6’6” medium actions. Use in situations where a rod with more backbone is needed. When fishing fall Walleye or Largemouth Bass this rod will help you when you have a heavier lure weight or you need something a little stiffer to pull through the water. Great rod for deep water rigging.

It’s hard to find a good pack rod with a decent action. Gary has designed this rod so it feels and feels and fishes like a one piece. Most fishermen think it’s a one piece! Rod comes complete with an extra durable zippered Cordura protective tube with carry strap and loops which makes it ideal for backpackers and four wheelers. Compact size takes up less space for fly-in anglers. Great all around action for multiple angling techniques.

Ideal rod for bottom bouncing, trolling or casting crank baits for Walleye, Bass and more. A good rod for dead stick fishing from rod holders. Use two rods on the inside and two of the 8’6” rods on the outside. This is a perfect pair for trolling cranks and spinner harnesses. Great rod for light bucktails or for spooning pike and lake trout. Try using a silver or gold light spoon as an attractor 3’-4’ ahead of a spinner harness. Works great for Walleye on the Great Lakes. Rod also works great for heavier bottom bouncers and in-line sinkers.

This is a “must have” rod for Crappies and Sunfish. Designed for longer casts with lighter lure weights. Ideal for light jigging, rigging, and even small cranks. One of the top sellers and is ideal for wider boats and spring Crappies. Ideal for fishing 1/8-1/4 oz. Northland® Roach Rigs® and light Rainbow Spinners. Great for casting shallow running cranks when the fish are on the shoreline. This rod does not lose many fish, it has a very forgiving tip.

The #1 selling model. Great for deeper water rig fishing, casting crank baits, and plastic worm fishing. Great for trolling with lighter Rock Runner bottom bouncers from ½-1 oz. great for Roach Rigs® and rainbow spinners. If you see fish higher on the sonar use a longer snell up to a 9’ length. Fish that are closer to the bottom use shorter snells . Use a stop and go presentation. You’ll catch more fish.

This rod is specifically designed for slip bobber fishing. If you fish slip bobbers this rod is a must. The #1 fishing tip for slip bobbers pertains to bobber size and shape. On windy days us smaller diameter bobbers that do not rock as much in the waves. When less windy use a fatter style bobber to get more action. This rod is also ideal for a harness riggin’ rod.

The “planer board” rod! Designed for trolling with boards, heavy bottom bouncers, and big crank baits. Great rod for lighter lead core trolling crank baits and spinners. It’s telescopic design allows storage in any rod locker. It’s tough and will handle most freshwater fish. Great for Salmon fishing up in Alaska!

A consistent sell-out. Lighter trolling rod designed for smaller planer boards with spinners and crank baits, either shallow or deep. It telescopes for easy storage to fit in rod lockers. Specialized action for light biters. Attach the sinker 10’ ahead of the crank bait or crawler harness. If trolling 30’ of water for suspended fish let out 45’ of line to the sinker. In deeper water, adjust accordingly in front of the harness to the deeper fish. If fish are up higher, adjust to lessen the weight. Watch your sonar to see where the fish are.

About Gary Roach

When it comes to Walleye fishing, there’s one name synonymous with the sport and that’s Gary Roach. Gary has established himself as probably the most recognized Walleye angler in the world and has the resume to prove it. Here’s a little intro to the man known as Mr. Walleye®.

Born and raised on the shores of Minnesota’s Mission Lake Gary started fishing at the age of three and began his illustrious guiding career at the age of ten. Since that time Gary has become a legend in angling circles promoting and teaching millions of anglers how to catch fish all over North America. A true pioneer in the sport, Gary has educated America’s anglers through countless articles appearing in top angling publications like In-Fishermen, Outdoor Life, Outdoor News, Fishing Facts, Field & Stream and many more. Gary continues to write articles for Outdoor News, North American Fisherman, Midwest Outdoors and numerous newspapers across the country. Gary has also appeared in hundreds of TV spots and commercials airing on In-Fishermen, Adventures North and Mid-West Outdoors Television.

Gary has definitely earned his stripes in the fishing tackle industry and was inducted into the National Fishing Hall of Fame (1988) and the Minnesota Fishing Hall of Fame (2000). If that doesn’t speak of his angling prowess how about his numerous tournament victories including winning the coveted Professional Walleye Trail’s “PWT Angler of the Year” and “Top Gun” angling awards. Gary has also been a two time winner of the Cabela’s/In-Fisherman’s PWT and also awarded the Manufacturers Walleye Council (MWC) “Angler of the Year” after winning multiple tournaments on their circuit.

One of the original legendary Nisswa Guides, Gary has helped develop true trend setting, angling techniques and products for a variety of companies such as Northland Tackle, Pradco, Pure Fishing and Lund Boats.

Gary has now taken his decades of experience to help Norsemen Outdoors in the development of Mr. Walleye® Custom Rods. Four brand new series of rods each individually designed by Gary himself. Every component, action and cosmetic feature is specified by Gary to optimize performance and provide the very best in quality and true fish catching performance.

“I wanted to develop a series of rods for all the various techniques I use. I wanted the right actions, the correct lengths, and guide placements that maximize performance. My rods are made for the way I fish. They are the tools that help me catch more fish and they will also help you catch more too.”